The filing deadline for the Illinois legislature, and all other 2012 races except for congressmen and presidential delegates was yesterday. The congressional deadline was delayed due to the litigation over the new map. In the legislative filings 21 of 59 senate districts had a single filing as did 50 of the 118 house districts. The single filing districts split 13D-8R in the Senate and 22D-28R in the House.

Many other districts had a multiple filings in only one party. Most of those districts will have no competition in Nov, only in the primary on Mar 20. Parties that had no candidate in the primary can file petitions for the general election after the primary as can independents.

Adding on--Out of the 59 Senate Seats, in addition to the 21 seats where only 1 candidate filed, there are an additional 14 seats (8D and 6R)where there were filings from only 1 party, leaving ony 24 out of 59 seats where there are candidates from both parties.

Out of 118 House seats, in addition to the 50 (I get 49--22D and 27R) seats with 1 candidate, there are an additional 26 seats (17D and 9R) where there are filings from only 1 party, leaving 43 out of 118 seats that have candidates from both parties.

Once all the ballot challenges are resolved, I'd be willing to bet that a significant number of districts go from several filings in 1 party to only 1 candidate remaining on the ballot.

Some of those 2 party filings aren't very serious either: For instance, a Republican filed in House District #3 which went for Governor Quinn (D) by a 73.5%-26.5% margin, HD #40 77-23 Democratic, HD #78 76-24 Democratic. And on the other end HD #74 which is 64-36 GOP

So, several of the districts where there are two parties filing candidates aren't even remotely competitive.

It is very much a reflection of the non-competitive nature of the recent remap.

Adding on--Out of the 59 Senate Seats, in addition to the 21 seats where only 1 candidate filed, there are an additional 14 seats (8D and 6R)where there were filings from only 1 party, leaving ony 24 out of 59 seats where there are candidates from both parties.

Out of 118 House seats, in addition to the 50 (I get 49--22D and 27R) seats with 1 candidate, there are an additional 26 seats (17D and 9R) where there are filings from only 1 party, leaving 43 out of 118 seats that have candidates from both parties.

Once all the ballot challenges are resolved, I'd be willing to bet that a significant number of districts go from several filings in 1 party to only 1 candidate remaining on the ballot.

Some of those 2 party filings aren't very serious either: For instance, a Republican filed in House District #3 which went for Governor Quinn (D) by a 73.5%-26.5% margin, HD #40 77-23 Democratic, HD #78 76-24 Democratic. And on the other end HD #74 which is 64-36 GOP

So, several of the districts where there are two parties filing candidates aren't even remotely competitive.

It is very much a reflection of the non-competitive nature of the recent remap.

Ill_Ind

Is the whole Senate up this year?

Logged

The real scandal in Washington is not the bribery, corruption, or sex. It is how poorly we are governed.

Yes the entire Senate is up for election. Illinois State Senate seats are on staggered 4-4-2, 4-2-4, or 2-4-4 year terms so that every 10 years (after reapportionment is complete) all of the seats are up for election in the newly created districts.

Continuing on with what I posted earlier--control of the Illinois legislature seems to rest in a competitive set of districts that forms the shape of an 'L' from the northshore suburbs of Chicago west along the Cook-Lake County line and then west through the Cook County towns of Elk Grove, Schaumburg, and Hanover and then into the Elgin area. (Rep districts 59 (Dem incumbent vs R incumbent),58 (no incumbent),57 (D incumbent) ,56 (D incumbent) ,55 (R incumbent retiring) and 44 (D incumbent) with the newly created 46 (No incumbent) a little south of the Cook-DuPage line. ) The bottom of the L is composed of the new Aurora district (84), the new Plainfield-Joliet District (98), both of which have no incumbent.

Also in this area are Senate districts 26 and 28 which will probably be highly competitive as well.